Ken Griffey Jr. through the years

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Ken Griffey Jr. through the years
He's arguably the biggest sports star Seattle has ever had. He's one of the best to ever play the game of baseball. He was a 13-time All-Star and a four-time A.L. home-run champion. He's Ken Griffey Jr.
Here's a look through time at the life and career of The Kid.
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Ken Griffey Jr. through the years He's arguably the biggest sports star Seattle has ever had. He's one of the best to ever play the game of baseball. He was a 13-time All-Star and a four-time A.L. home-run ... more

Ken Griffey Jr. has always been known as ''The Kid,'' but here he's an actual kid. In this 1975 photo, the Griffey family poses at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, where dad Ken Griffey Sr. played for the Reds. Junior is the kiddo at right, holding the bat. His mother, Alberta, stands behind as Ken Sr. holds little brother Craig.
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Ken Griffey Jr. has always been known as ''The Kid,'' but here he's an actual kid. In this 1975 photo, the Griffey family poses at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium, where dad Ken Griffey Sr. played for the Reds. ... more

Photo: Cincinnati Reds, Getty Images

Ken Griffey Jr. has always been known as ''The... Photo-5024998.67962 - seattlepi.com

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The Mariners selected Griffey first-overall in the 1987 MLB Draft. Here he is that year playing for the Single-A Bellingham Mariners.

The Mariners selected Griffey first-overall in the 1987 MLB Draft. Here he is that year playing for the Single-A Bellingham Mariners.

Another photo of newly drafted Griffey in March 1987.
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On June 9, 1987, Griffey took his first cuts with the major-league club before a Mariners game at the Kingdome. He was still with the Bellingham Mariners at that point.

On June 9, 1987, Griffey took his first cuts with the major-league club before a Mariners game at the Kingdome. He was still with the Bellingham Mariners at that point.

Photo: PI ARCHIVE, Seattle P-I Archives

On June 9, 1987, Griffey took his first cuts with the major-league... Photo-5025001.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Junior made his major-league debut on April 3, 1989. Here he is that year at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

Junior made his major-league debut on April 3, 1989. Here he is that year at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

Photo: Rob Tringali / Sportschrome, Getty Images

Junior made his major-league debut on April 3, 1989. Here he is... Photo-5025002.67962 - seattlepi.com

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His rookie season, Junior batted .264 with 120 hits and 16 home runs in 1986, and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Here he's pictured batting against the Red Sox at Boston's Fenway Park in 1989.

His rookie season, Junior batted .264 with 120 hits and 16 home runs in 1986, and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. Here he's pictured batting against the Red Sox at Boston's Fenway Park in 1989.

In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. joined his son in Seattle, both playing in the outfield. Dad was 40 and son was 20. Here they are before a game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston.

In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. joined his son in Seattle, both playing in the outfield. Dad was 40 and son was 20. Here they are before a game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston.

Photo: Focus On Sport, Getty Images

In 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. joined his son in Seattle, both playing in... Photo-5025009.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Here Junior is seen during a game April 29, 1990, in Baltimore.

Here Junior is seen during a game April 29, 1990, in Baltimore.

Photo: Ronald C. Modra / Sports Imagery, Getty Images

Here Junior is seen during a game April 29, 1990, in Baltimore.
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Griffey was named an All-Star in just his second year in the majors. Here, right to left, Griffey stands with Mark McGuire, Jose Canseco and Cecil Fielder during batting practice before the 1990 All-Star Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
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Griffey was named an All-Star in just his second year in the majors. Here, right to left, Griffey stands with Mark McGuire, Jose Canseco and Cecil Fielder during batting practice before the 1990 All-Star Game ... more

Photo: Getty Images

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Back in Baltimore, where Getty Images apparently took a lot of photos of Junior early in his career. This photo is dated Sept. 5, 1990.

Back in Baltimore, where Getty Images apparently took a lot of photos of Junior early in his career. This photo is dated Sept. 5, 1990.

Photo: Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

Back in Baltimore, where Getty Images apparently took a lot of... Photo-5025012.67962 - seattlepi.com

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The Griffeys -- Ken Jr. at left, Ken Sr. at right -- soak up the Kingdome atmosphere on Sept. 25, 1990, in Seattle.

The Griffeys -- Ken Jr. at left, Ken Sr. at right -- soak up the Kingdome atmosphere on Sept. 25, 1990, in Seattle.

Griffey in 1995, before he got hurt.
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Many Mariners fans likely cringe when they see this photo showing the moment before Griffey collided with the Kingdome's center field wall on May 26, 1995. Griffey broke his wrist and missed much of the season, not returning until mid-August -- when he came back en force and helped his team surge into the postseason for the first time in Mariners history.
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Many Mariners fans likely cringe when they see this photo showing the moment before Griffey collided with the Kingdome's center field wall on May 26, 1995. Griffey broke his wrist and missed much of the season, ... more

Photo: Gary Stewart, Associated Press

Many Mariners fans likely cringe when they see this photo showing... Photo-5025024.67962 - seattlepi.com

Playing with the Triple-A Rainiers on his rehab assignment, Griffey signs autographs Aug. 11, 1995, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.

Playing with the Triple-A Rainiers on his rehab assignment, Griffey signs autographs Aug. 11, 1995, at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma.

Photo: Tom Marks, Seattle P-I Archives

Playing with the Triple-A Rainiers on his rehab assignment, Griffey... Photo-5025026.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Ken Griffey Jr. flashes a look over his shoulder at a fan who called his name as he walked into Tacoma's Cheney Stadium on Aug. 11, 1995.

Ken Griffey Jr. flashes a look over his shoulder at a fan who called his name as he walked into Tacoma's Cheney Stadium on Aug. 11, 1995.

Photo: Tom Marks, Seattle P-I Archives

Ken Griffey Jr. flashes a look over his shoulder at a fan who... Photo-5025027.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Back in Seattle, here Griffey watches during warmups prior to the Mariners' one-game playoff with the California Angels to determine the 1995 A.L. West champion. The M's won 9-1 on Oct. 2, 1995, and advanced to the postseason for the first time in franchise history.
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Back in Seattle, here Griffey watches during warmups prior to the Mariners' one-game playoff with the California Angels to determine the 1995 A.L. West champion. The M's won 9-1 on Oct. 2, 1995, and advanced to ... more

This and the following series of images shows Griffey's famous slide into home Oct. 8, 1995, as he scored from first on ''The Double'' hit by Edgar Martinez. In this first photo, Joey Cora signals for the oncoming Griffey (out of frame) to slide.
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This and the following series of images shows Griffey's famous slide into home Oct. 8, 1995, as he scored from first on ''The Double'' hit by Edgar Martinez. In this first photo, Joey Cora signals for the ... more

Photo: Scott Clarke, Time & Life Pictures / Getty Image

This and the following series of images shows Griffey's famous... Photo-5025029.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Griffey makes his famous slide to win the fifth and deciding game of the A.L. Division Series against the New York Yankees on Oct. 8, 1995.

Griffey makes his famous slide to win the fifth and deciding game of the A.L. Division Series against the New York Yankees on Oct. 8, 1995.

Photo: Scott Clarke, Time & Life Pictures / Getty Image

Griffey makes his famous slide to win the fifth and deciding game... Photo-5025030.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Griffey, center, jumps with joy after scoring the winning run. The M's beat the Yankees 6-5 in 11 innings to advance to the A.L. Championship Series.

Griffey, center, jumps with joy after scoring the winning run. The M's beat the Yankees 6-5 in 11 innings to advance to the A.L. Championship Series.

Mariners swarm Griffey after he scored the winning run in the 1995 ALDS.

Mariners swarm Griffey after he scored the winning run in the 1995 ALDS.

Photo: Scott Clarke, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Mariners swarm Griffey after he scored the winning run in the 1995... Photo-5025032.67962 - seattlepi.com

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In this photo, rookie Alex Rodriguez jumps over the pile as the Mariners celebrate advancing to the 1995 ALCS. Griffey is in there somewhere.

In this photo, rookie Alex Rodriguez jumps over the pile as the Mariners celebrate advancing to the 1995 ALCS. Griffey is in there somewhere.

Photo: Scott Clarke, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

In this photo, rookie Alex Rodriguez jumps over the pile as the... Photo-5025033.67962 - seattlepi.com

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There he is! Refuse to lose!

There he is! Refuse to lose!

Photo: Robin Layton, Seattle P-I Archives

There he is! Refuse to lose!
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A six-time All-Star by this point, Griffey stands wired with computer sensors as technicians record his movements Jan. 26, 1996, in Carlsbad, Calif. His swing, home-run trot and fielding motions were used in the then-upcoming Nintendo 64 game ''Major League Baseball Featuring Ken Griffey Jr.''
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A six-time All-Star by this point, Griffey stands wired with computer sensors as technicians record his movements Jan. 26, 1996, in Carlsbad, Calif. His swing, home-run trot and fielding motions were used in ... more

Griffey takes a break from spring training to play a Super Nintendo game -- ''Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run'' -- with local children on the video-game company's Spring Training Van in Arizona on March 12, 1996.

Griffey takes a break from spring training to play a Super Nintendo game -- ''Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run'' -- with local children on the video-game company's Spring Training Van in Arizona on March 12, 1996.

Photo: Business Wire, Seattle P-I Archives

Griffey takes a break from spring training to play a Super Nintendo... Photo-5025039.67962 - seattlepi.com

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M's president Woody Woodward gives Griffey his Gold Glove award before Opening Day on April 2, 1996, in Seattle.

M's president Woody Woodward gives Griffey his Gold Glove award before Opening Day on April 2, 1996, in Seattle.

Griffey takes a break in the dugout before the opening game of the A.L. Division Series against the Orioles on Oct. 1, 1997, in Seattle. The M's lost the ALDS 3-1 games.

Griffey takes a break in the dugout before the opening game of the A.L. Division Series against the Orioles on Oct. 1, 1997, in Seattle. The M's lost the ALDS 3-1 games.

Photo: Beth A. Keiser, Associated Press

Griffey takes a break in the dugout before the opening game of the... Photo-5025051.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Junior gets a phone call from Jack O'Connell, of the Baseball Players Association of America, to hear that he was named the MLB's Most Valuable Player for 1997. The photo is dated Nov. 12, 1997, in Hawaii.

Junior gets a phone call from Jack O'Connell, of the Baseball Players Association of America, to hear that he was named the MLB's Most Valuable Player for 1997. The photo is dated Nov. 12, 1997, in Hawaii.

During spring training on March 21, 1998.
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The caption on this March 31, 1998, Seattle Post-Intelligencer photo reads: ''Ken Griffey is the most sought-after signature at spring training and maybe in all of baseball. He rarely and signs and does not enjoy it.''
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The caption on this March 31, 1998, Seattle Post-Intelligencer photo reads: ''Ken Griffey is the most sought-after signature at spring training and maybe in all of baseball. He rarely and signs and does not ... more

Photo: Paul Joseph, Seattle P-I Archives

The caption on this March 31, 1998, Seattle Post-Intelligencer... Photo-5025057.67962 - seattlepi.com

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In 1998, this huge Griffey banner hung on the side of the Kingdome.

In 1998, this huge Griffey banner hung on the side of the Kingdome.

Photo: Robin Layton, Seattle P-I Archives

In 1998, this huge Griffey banner hung on the side of the Kingdome.
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Ken Griffey Jr. powers his first home run out of Safeco Field while it is still under construction on July 29, 1998. The new stadium came to be known as ''The House that Griffey Built.''

Ken Griffey Jr. powers his first home run out of Safeco Field while it is still under construction on July 29, 1998. The new stadium came to be known as ''The House that Griffey Built.''

Photo: Jeff Larsen, Seattle P-I Archives

Ken Griffey Jr. powers his first home run out of Safeco Field while... Photo-5025059.67962 - seattlepi.com

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Griffey shows off his ''Hit it here, Junior'' T-shirt to Ichiro Suzuki during a spring-training workout Feb. 25, 1999, in Peoria, Ariz. Yes, Ichiro was at spring training that year and in 2000, but didn't join the big-league club until 2001.
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Griffey shows off his ''Hit it here, Junior'' T-shirt to Ichiro Suzuki during a spring-training workout Feb. 25, 1999, in Peoria, Ariz. Yes, Ichiro was at spring training that year and in 2000, but didn't join ... more